Masar Badil: A Clone of Samidoun and a Front of the PFLP
An explosive new report by Honestly Concerned unveils disturbing terror ties within the notorious organization
Introduction
A newly published report by Honestly Concerned, a German non-profit committed to truthful reporting and the fight against antisemitism, xenophobia, and intolerance, reveals that Masar Badil, a notorious European-based anti-Israel group, is actually a front for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)—a U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization.
Honestly Concerned explains that Masar Badil is merely another “face” for Samidoun, which was designated as a terrorist front of the PFLP by the United States and Canada in October 2024, after being previously banned in Germany, Israel and the Dutch Parliament. Both groups share leadership, co-organize events, and promote identical pro-terror rhetoric, underscoring a coordinated effort to expand violent extremism on an international scale.
According to the report, Masar Badil and Samidoun share the same leadership, including Charlotte Kates, Samidoun chair Khaled Barakat and Mohammad Khatib—the latter two being known PFLP members—who openly glorify terrorism, incite violence, and spread antisemitism.
The organization celebrated the October 7th Hamas attacks, endorsed EU- and U.S.-designated terrorist groups like the PFLP and Hamas, and explicitly called for “armed struggle” against Israel, extending its efforts to destabilize the European Union.
Sacha Stawski, president of Honestly Concerned, emphasized that Masar Badil was not an organically formed entity but rather a strategic creation to continue the operations of Samidoun under a new name:
“Samidoun has received too much negative attention, leading to it being outlawed in Germany. Thus a new proxy was needed under which to continue to same activities with the same key actors, something with is common for many terrorist organizations, who operate under separate entities, despite belonging to one and the same umbrella. PFLP = Samidoun = Masar Badil.”
— Sacha Stawski
Funding and Social Media Operations
According to Honestly Concerned, Masar Badil maintains opaque financial operations, relying on a network of sympathizers and fundraising activities linked to Samidoun. The group has previously used PayPal and other crowdfunding platforms, though some accounts have been shut down due to their ties to terrorism.
On social media, Masar Badil exploits platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Odysee, and Telegram to spread propaganda, glorify terrorist acts, and recruit new followers. Authorities in Germany, France, and Canada have flagged several of its accounts for promoting violent content and inciting antisemitic rhetoric.
Endorsement of the October 7th Massacre & Terror Connections
The report details how Masar Badil openly celebrated the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, which resulted in the massacre of over 1,200 civilians and abduction of 250 more. The organization referred to the event as “the launch of a new Palestinian revolution,” framing it as a justified act of resistance.
Following the attacks, Masar Badil and Samidoun organized rallies in Europe and North America, where demonstrators praised Hamas, chanted pro-terror slogans, and justified the mass killings. In a November 2023 webinar, Samidoun and Masar Badil co-organized a Zoom event featuring senior Hamas official, Husam Badran. The event was intended to garner support for the “Palestinian resistance”, a euphemism for Hamas’s war with Israel following October 7th. Although Zoom cancelled the event for violating its terms of service, the event still occurred and was uploaded to Masar Badil’s YouTube channel (no longer available).
Masar Badil also promotes radical messaging in its publications and social media. In multiple official statements, it has called for increased attacks on Israeli civilians, military personnel, and Western institutions. The organization has expressed open support for the Jenin Brigade, the Lions’ Den, and other terrorist factions, glorifying their actions and encouraging further violence.
Masar Badil in Germany
The report highlights how Germany has become one of Masar Badil’s primary operational hubs in Europe, with the movement spearheading violent protests, university occupations, and antisemitic demonstrations.
In May 2024, Masar Badil activists occupied a Berlin university building, renaming it the Jabalia Institute in honor of Hamas-controlled areas in Gaza. In April 2023, demonstrators affiliated with Masar Badil chanted “Death to Jews” and “Death to Israel” in Berlin while waving Hamas and PFLP banners. In February 2023, a Masar Badil-led rally in Berlin praised Hamas commander Musab Shtayyeh and called for a “armed resistance” and the downfall of Israel and the U.S. In August 2022, Masar Badil supporters were seen in Berlin displaying images in support of convicted terrorists and spreading incitement against Jewish communities.
Formal Scrutiny of Masar Badil in Germany
Masar Badil has been under intense scrutiny in Germany due to its links to terrorist organizations and its promotion of anti-Semitic ideologies. In January 2025, Felix Klein, Germany's antisemitism commissioner, warned about the group's use of the Middle East conflict to spread hate, particularly in Berlin. The German government confirmed in November 2024 that Masar Badil is controlled by former members of the banned Samidoun, highlighting its ties to Hamas and its role in spreading anti-Semitic narratives. German lawmakers from multiple parties, including SPD, FDP, Green Party, and CSU, have called for immediate action, with some demanding a ban on the organization. Authorities have also focused on activists linked to Masar Badil, like Zaid Abdulnasser and Musaab Abu Atta, further underscoring the group's radical and violent agenda.
In November 2023, Germany officially banned Samidoun, citing its involvement in glorifying terrorism and inciting antisemitic violence. Lawmakers have called for a similar ban on Masar Badil, with pressure mounting for a full legal designation as a terrorist entity.
Masar Badil-Samidoun Overlapping Staff
Masar Badil and Samidoun share leadership, operational goals, and ideological alignment, making them virtually indistinguishable.
Khaled Barakat, co-founder of Masar Badil, is also the head of foreign operations for the PFLP and leads Samidoun. Barakat, designated by the United States and Canada in October 2024 for his terror-linked activities, was previously expelled from Germany and permanently barred from the U.S.
Mohammed Khatib, a Masar Badil executive committee member and Samidoun’s European coordinator, has been under scrutiny for his incitement of violence. In July 2024, Belgian authorities summoned Khatib for a hearing to review his refugee status due to his extremist activities. In October 2022, Khatib stood outside the European Parliament in Brussels and shouted that ”Defeating Israel means defeating this colonial institution,” ostensibly calling for the E.U.’s very dissolution.
Charlotte Kates, Samidoun’s international coordinator and Barakat’s wife, has played a significant role in Masar Badil’s operations. In April 2024, she was arrested in Vancouver for glorifying the October 7 massacre and was later honored by the Iranian government for her role in promoting Palestinian armed resistance.
Despite increasing scrutiny, Masar Badil has shown a remarkable ability to adapt:
“We know the key players. We know how they operate. We know many of the structures, incl. partners and it is up to the authorities to follow through on existing bans and to act swiftly upon new activities. All of the information in our report is open source, thus why shouldn't law enforcement agencies be able to act upon publicly available information - with the key on acting in a speedy manner!”
— Sacha Stawski
Read the full report published by Honestly Concerned here.